hat when we sail for England we wish to
take your son with us."

"Me!"

Nat sprang from his chair.

"Would you like to go, Nat?" asked Mrs. Coddington, watching the light
leap into the boy's eyes.

"Would I like to go! Why, it is the thing I have dreamed of all my
life--dreamed of, and never expected to be able to do. To go to Europe!
To see all those places I've read about and seen pictures of! Think of
it! Do you really mean it, Mr. Coddington?"

"I certainly do, my boy," answered the president, heartily enjoying his
delight. "I cannot promise to take you to all your dream-countries but
you shall see some of them. It all rests with your mother. If she gives
her consent you shall go."

Mrs. Jackson's answer was ready. While Mr. Coddington had been speaking
she, with woman's intuition, had leaped forward to the coming question
and had decided upon her reply. Her one thought was for her boy. She did
not permit a consideration of self to bar his way.

"I am only too glad to give my consent, Mr. Coddington," she said
firmly. "It is a great opportunity for Nat, and his mother would be the
last person to allow him to refuse it. Of course he shall go."

Then the significance of her words broke upon Nat.

He flushed.

He was mortified to realize that in his enthusiasm his thought had been
only for himself and his own pleasure. For an instant his face fell.
Then he sprang to his mother's side and throwing his arms about her
exclaimed:

"Of course I shall not go, mother. Go, and leave you here all by
yourself! I guess not! I did not think at first that my going would mean
that. It was very good of you, Mr. Coddington, to ask me, but nothing
would hire me, sir, to leave my mother."

"Oh, you would not be leaving me for long, dear," argued his mother,
crushing the boy's cheek against her own and hurriedly dashing away a
tear. "Why, people go back and forth across the ocean every day. It is
not--not far--very far. You could write to me often and before you or I
knew it you would be back at home again." The trembling voice gained
steadiness. "Why, it would be nothing at all, Nat! And think of all the
stories you would have to tell me! While you were away I could get books
and read about the places you were seeing and----"

"I never shall leave you here alone, mother, never!" repeated Nat.

"But we do not mean to have you leave your mother, Nat dear," Mrs.
Coddington said. "You have not waited to hear the end of our